REGION 5-6A VICTORY

The COMMANDOS never trailed in their 1st Region 5-6A game of 2021 at Memorial Stadium against cross-town rival Beech. #11 Luke Manning would throw for 3 touchdowns while the Black and Gold defense would have several big stops throughout the game as HHS was able to get the 18-point win. HHS would kickoff to begin the game, and #48 Anthony Christian would combine with #25 Torin Baker to stop a 4th down attempt by the Buccaneers on the opening drive of the game after BHS had moved the ball into HHS territory with a couple of pass plays. Manning would get things going for the COMMANDOS early with a pass to #1 Jameson Wharton followed by a pass to #88 Jack Busey that set up a 1st and goal. Two plays later, Manning would connect with Busey for a 4-yard TD pass. After #36 Thomas Matchell added the PAT, Hendersonville would have an early 7-0 lead. The COMMANDOS would then force a punt after 3 plays and on the ensuing drive Manning would connect with #10 Ellis Ellis for a 37-yard touchdown as HHS extended their lead to 14-0. Another Beech punt would be followed with a failed 4th down conversion by Hendersonville. BHS would get a drive started but #32 Noah Carmean would come up with a 4th down stop to end this drive and give HHS the ball back. A fumble by HHS would give the Buccaneers the ball inside HHS territory and they would take advantage by connecting on a 30-yard fg to make the score 14-3 as the teams went in for halftime. The COMMANDOSwould get the ball to start the 2nd half and would be efficient on a drive where Ellis, Torin Baker, and Carmean would have nice runs before Manning threw to Ellis for a 33-yard TD making the score 21-3. HHS would force another Buccaneer 3 and out and #13 Jack Brown would find the endzone with a 38-yard touchdown run making the score 28-3. The teams would trade punts and the Black & Gold defense would again come up with a 4th down stop, this time it would be Christian and #56 Kyle Duvall ending the BHS drive. Hendersonville would look to add to their lead as they moved the ball down the field, but a fumble would give BHS the ball back. HHS would quickly force a punt, but then be forced to punt themselves and this punt would be blocked and returned for a TD as the score became 28-10. #7 Luke Guthier would recover an onside attempt, but then HHS would punt after 3 plays. Ellis would intercept a Buccaneer pass on the following possession and then Carmean and Ellis would pick up 1st downs on the ground before Manning was able to knell on the ball for the victory. The win moves HHS to 2-1 on the season and 1-0 in Region 5-6A games. Hendersonville will be off next Friday and then will travel to Gallatin to take on the Green Wave. GHS is 1-2 this season and also 1-0 in Region play. The game will be televised on MYTV30 and will kickoff just after 7:00.